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OFA: Seeking Golden Horseshoe Farm Families as part of Canada’s 150th Celebration

May 26, 2017

The Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance (GHFFA), with support from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), is celebrating Canada's 150th birthday by recognizing the significant contribution of farm families that have been farming consecutively in the Golden Horseshoe for the last 150 years or more.

“Agriculture and family farms have played a major role in the development and growth of our country and province, so it feels right to pay tribute to these families during Canada's 150th celebrations,” says Bill Hodgson, Chair of the GHFFA. “We can think of no better way to celebrate Canada and its history than by celebrating the history of agriculture through these farm families who have shown dedication to the land and feeding our citizens throughout these 150 years.”

Some of these families will be on their original farms, while others will have moved locations due to city growth and development. Passing the farming tradition from generation to generation is an impressive achievement, but continuing that tradition for 150 years or more takes tremendous commitment, risk taking and hard work.

Farm families who apply to the program and are verified will receive a plaque, a specially-designed 150 farm family sign for their farm, and will be recognized at an event later in the year.
The program is open to family farms in the Golden Horseshoe, which includes the Regions of Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel, York, and the Cities of Hamilton and Toronto.

Application forms are available at www.foodandfarming.ca and the deadline to apply is September 30, 2017. Applications will be reviewed and verified by the 150 Farm Family Project Committee.
The GHFFA is a partnership between the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, the Friends of the Greenbelt, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the regional municipalities of Niagara, Peel, Halton, York, and Durham, and the cities of Hamilton and Toronto. The collaboration works for an integrated and coordinated approach to food and farming viability in the area to ensure that the Golden Horseshoe retains, enhances and expands its role as a leading food and farming cluster.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 36,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer.

Source: OFA